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HSI Canada and Montreal SPCA Oppose the Exploitation of Animals at the Rodeo Rock 'N' Bull in Montreal

Humane Society International/Canada

Animals should not suffer in rodeos. Sascha Burkard/istock

MONTREAL—Humane Society International/Canada and the Montreal SPCA oppose the inhumane use of animals in the Rodeo Rock ‘N’ Bull in Montreal, Quebec on June 2-5. HSI Canada and the Montreal SPCA call on the City of Montreal to pass legislation to prevent rodeos from being held in the future.

“Rodeos encourage an insensitivity to and acceptance of exploitation of animals under the guise of sport and entertainment,” said Lauren Scott, campaigner at HSI Canada. “It is critical that the City of Montreal prevents this kind of cruelty in the future by passing legislation to prohibit rodeos.”

“The people of Montreal have spoken out against the inhumane treatment of animals, as seen recently with the huge public outcry over the Berger Blanc situation,” said Alanna Devine, director of animal advocacy at the Montreal SPCA. “It is disappointing that, for the first time in 35 years an outdoor rodeo will take place in Montreal. This will further tarnish the reputation of our city which has suffered international criticism after the Radio Canada undercover investigation of the Berger Blanc.”

Rodeos typically cause torment and stress to animals; expose them to pain, injury, or even death. Although rodeos try to promote an image of wild, uncontrollable animals, which must be tamed by fearless cowboys, the reality is that animals used in rodeos are ordinary farm animals coerced into fleeing, bucking or other behavior through inflection of pain and stress.

HSI Canada and the Montreal SPCA oppose the use of devices such as electric prods, sharpened sticks, spurs, flank straps, and other rodeo equipment that causes animals to react erratically. Events such as bull riding, bronco riding, steer roping, calf roping, wild horse racing, chuck wagon racing, steer tailing, and horse tripping are not wholesome family fun and have no place in the City of Montreal.

Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, representing tens of thousands of members and constituents across the country. HSI Canada has active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation and farm animal welfare. HSI Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International—one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, with more than 11 million members and constituents globally—on the Web at hsicanada.ca.

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Contributions to Humane Society International are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law in your country. HSI's tax identification number is 52-1769464. Donations made from the UK: HSI UK is registered in England and Wales as charity number 1098925, company number 4610194. Donations made in Canada: donations to HSI Canada are not tax-deductible. Non-profit organizations in Canada that lobby to change government policy are generally denied charitable status.